In this Section

Drama

Subject:

Drama

Contact:

Miss Prys-Owen and Mr Yeoman

Overview

All students study Drama in Key Stage 3 and may opt to study it at KS4 and 5. Key Stage 3 aims to develop students’ ability to work effectively as a team, understand the importance of team-work, develop confidence and, of course, performance and reflection skills. Students are guided to reflect on their own self-development and explore topics that cross curriculum boundaries e.g. Anne Frank. There is a great deal of flexibility in the KS4 and 5 programmes with students able to focus on design or performance skills.

KS3

Overview

Students are taught in ability classes in Years 7, 8 and 9. Each year students study at least one script as part of their drama skills development, and work on refining their performance skills through process drama and skills based improvisation.

Students complete 6 units a year and are assessed each ½ term on these. The units follow a linear progression allowing students to build on their skills throughout the years.

Curriculum content

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3`

Year 7

Introduction to Drama

Darkwood Manor

Anne Frank

Improvisation

Shakespeare

Fairytales

Year 8

Underwich Project

Hairspray – Race and Identity

Titanic

Improvisation

Blood Brothers

Musicals

Year 9

Terrorism – 9/11

Pantomime

TV and Film Genres

Stereotypes

Introduction to GCSE

Age related milestones

KS4

Overview

Students may opt to study GCSE Drama at KS4. We follow the Edexcel specification. The course is made up of 3 discreet units which enable to students to demonstrate both their practical performance/design skills and also their ability to critically analyse a live performance and play text. Year 10 is primarily about developing skill sets to a suitable GCSE level, whilst the majority of assessment takes place in Year 11

Exam board and course

Edexcel (Pearson) GCSE Drama (1DR0)

Curriculum Content

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3

Year 10

Developing Devising Skills from a Theme

Text Performance – The Crucible

Component 1 - Devising

Component 1 – Devising

Component 3 - Textual Analysis – The Crucible

Year 11

Component 2 – Practical Performance

Component 3 – Textual Analysis – The Crucible

Component 2 – Practical Performance

Component 3 – Textual Analysis – The Crucible

Component 3 – Live Performance Review Notes

Component 3 – Textual Analysis – The Crucible

Assessment components

Component 1 - Devising

Component 2 – Performance From Text

Component 3 – Theatre Makers In Practice

(1hr 30mins Paper)

40% of the overall mark

20% of the overall mark

40% of the overall mark

• Create and develop a devised piece from a stimulus

• Performance of this devised piece or design realisation for this performance

• Analyse and evaluate the devising process and performance

• Performer or designer routes available

• Students will either perform in and/or design for two key extracts from a performance text

• QPHS chooses the performance text

• Performer or designer routes available

• Practical exploration and study of one complete performance text

• Live theatre evaluation – free choice of production

Assessment:

1500-2000 evaluative and reflective portfolio

A final performance of the devised piece

Assessment:

Performance of two key extracts as monologues, duologues or group work

Assessment:

SECTION A: One question broken into six parts (short and extended responses) based on an unseen extract from the chosen performance text.

SECTION B: two questions requiring students to analyse and evaluate a live theatre performance they have seen. Students are allowed to bring in theatre evaluation notes of up to a maximum of

500 words.

Enrichment opportunities:

Contributions throughout the year to school productions including: Concerts, V Factor, School Production, National Theatre Connections Projects